Alderney Race

Pablo · 11 March 2008, 11:46

Hi,
when the weather is more clement I would like to make the cruise over to Alderney from France. The thing that scares me is the Race

Is it reasonable to cross the Race in a 5.3m RIB ? I'm hoping that at slack water it'll be calm ?

If so, which is the best slipway for me to do it from ?

I presume a fair few Islanders pop over to France on a regular basis, do you go to Cherbourg or Dialette or do you go to the smaller harbours on the Contentin ?

Thanks

Paul

Tony · 11 March 2008, 11:57

Hi Pablo
I am in Guernsey and went to Alderney several times last year. The race will be ok on calm days, but a bit hairy on rougher days. We also went to Carteret last year and it was beautiful.
Tony

BassBoy · 11 March 2008, 14:14

Though the Aldernay race can be nasty (avoid wind against tide), Cap de la Hague can be VERY nasty even in fairly benign weather. I have been round that corner in an 11m yacht (in about 14knots of wind) which regularly fell into 10m 'holes' in the water! Very unpredictable and big standing waves coming from all directions every few seconds!

I would therefore be tempted not to go from Cherbourg, but from further south on the Cotentin.

Erin · 11 March 2008, 14:22

I often travel Alderney to France, and the best port is Dielette. A nice straight run up and just under 20 miles. Certainly I would recommend the race on a calm day and at slack water, which, don't forget is an hour either side of half tide. No problems in a 5m boat. It does get a bit choppy in places but you can avoid the worst by keeping out from shore. The swinge is worse!

However, you could always depart from Goury, which is only 7 or 8 miles to Alderney. Very little facilities there, but a good spot.

BassBoy · 11 March 2008, 14:28

Pablo

Just another thought. You could launch at Granville and make your way up to Alderney via Chausey/Minquiers, Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Herm!

What a fantastic trip that would be, especially if you could get a friend to take your trailer up to Carteret at the end of your holiday. Get some good charts though!

karlT · 11 March 2008, 15:03

Wind was gusting 70knots in Alcatraz yesterday and the little Trislanders were still flying in and out!!

Carteret would be a great place to be based for few days cruise, pop into dielette north bound if weather suits or 1 mile south to Portbail 4 miles to ecrehous and short hop to Jersey.

Carteret has great slipway in tidal estuary 4hours either side of high with good marina and facilities.

Keep clear of coast at Flamanville power station, it is not unknown for the helicopter to be scrambled to usher people away from area.

Pablo, if you go to Les Ecrehous the seals are really friendly if you decide to go spearfishing.

Pablo · 11 March 2008, 15:06

On a first trip I was only hoping to spend 2 days visiting the island and spearfishing but in the future your suggestion would definately be great BB.

I was thinking of leaving from Omonville La Rogue (Le Hâble) which is quite close. I'll look up Goury but the slipway can only be used around high tide.

I've found this document about navigating around Alderney. It confirms that slack tide in the Race is around half tide which I missed out on my first read.
http://www.visitalderney.com/documents/SAILNEW.pdf

Here's a great load of information concerning the Contentin slipways if that interests any of you (in French of course).
http://www.capbreizh.net/cales/maritime/50/cales.htm

Can you confirm that what we call the "Raz-Blanchard" in French in the Alderney Race ?

Pablo · 11 March 2008, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlT

Pablo, if you go to Les Ecrehous the seals are really friendly if you decide to go spearfishing.

Everything I don't need when Spearfishing

Andy Moore · 11 March 2008, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBoy

Though the Aldernay race can be nasty (avoid wind against tide), Cap de la Hague can be VERY nasty even in fairly benign weather.

I would therefore be tempted not to go from Cherbourg, but from further south on the Cotentin.

I have not done this trip in a RIB but have sailed it many times. I would second the comment re. the conditions at Cap de la Hague. I would recommend not going direct along the coast and across the top of the Race.

Instead, take a parabolic route (is that the right word?) from Cherbourg. So, head more out to sea and arc round into Braye Harbour. That way you should avoid any lumpiness off Cap de la Hague and at the head of the Race. Keep a close eye out for Lobster pots as you approach Alderney in case they are being dragged under.

If, on the other hand the weather is settled, I would be happy to whizz straight across the top of Race.

Pablo · 11 March 2008, 16:18

If I go from Dielette i'll pass completely under the Race and well clear of the Cap de la Hague. The inconvient side is that it's 20 miles but it should be okay. I prefer 20 safe miles than 10 break neck ones.

Thanks every body for your advice and keep it coming.

Erin · 11 March 2008, 16:34

Yep, raz-blanchard is the race. Omonville would be a good spot, but I'd want to choose a calm day. You can't trust the water round the Cape. 20 miles from Dielette is no problem. used to do it in a 5.2m hard boat on 1hr on a good day. Look for F3 or less for the crossing mind you.

Erin · 07 April 2008, 21:13

took this photo yesterday, shows the race stretching out to the east and south east of Alderney. Give it a wide birth and you will be fine.

Nick Hearne · 08 April 2008, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

took this photo yesterday, shows the race stretching out to the east and south east of Alderney. Give it a wide birth and you will be fine.

You must be very tall!!

Phil · 08 April 2008, 12:54

a few years ago I went from Cherbourg to Alderney in F 6/7 in my Humber 8m; I suppose I should have realised how bad it would be when we were spray soaked in the the outer harbour.

the problem is that once committed you cannot turn back in big full on seas

Scary area if you get it wrong

Roy Smith · 08 April 2008, 14:20

We came though the Race last August on our way to Guernsey, it was flat claim going, but the next day we had a force 4/5 and it is a bit hairy, deep short troughs realy easy to stuff if your not focused.

Pablo · 15 April 2008, 16:08

And these are people with 8m RIBs. You're frightening me.

I won't go with anything more than a force 4 planned and i'll cross when the wind is with the tide and not over it.

Thanks for the photo Erin.

karlT · 15 April 2008, 19:13

Erin,

Were you flying, if so, what is your aircraft reg, I may have spoken to you without even knowing it as I am a controller at Jersey Air Traffic.

Cheers
Karlt

Pablo · 16 April 2008, 16:27

He might just be a passenger on a trilander ?

martini · 16 April 2008, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlT

Erin,

Were you flying, if so, what is your aircraft reg, I may have spoken to you without even knowing it as I am a controller at Jersey Air Traffic.

Cheers
Karlt

How many Karl's are there at air traffic?? Karl M is a good mate of mine, you'll know my cousin Hannah as well then. Small island!

karlT · 18 April 2008, 09:26

Martini,

How is that boat of yours coming along, you have not updated your gallery thread recently. Should be able to cope with the Race no problem.

Re. ATC, Yes I know Karl M (invaluable assistant) and Hannah (Trainee ATCO) after few retirements recently everyone seems really young. Your right though, Jersey is a small rock, not quite as bad as Alderney I think.

Regards
Karl T